Therapists and Group Leaders

Clerissa Cooper, MS, LPC, NCC, CCH

Clerissa Cooper is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist who provides individual, group, and family-centered counseling for late adolescents and adults. Clerissa received a B.A. in English Literature, Psychology, and Creative Writing and a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University and has provided therapy in private practice, residential, day treatment, and intensive outpatient settings.

Clerissa has past professional experience in the women's health field, which very much informs how she approaches her work with clients. Clerissa values honest and thoughtful communication, which means she communicates in an attentive, supportive, compassionate, empowering, and non-judgmental manner while being authentic, direct, and transparent. She utilizes both validation and humor in therapy to foster connection and to create space for healthy, long-lasting change. She seeks to help her clients deeply accept and understand their own thoughts, emotions, actions, and experiences so they can more effectively navigate their relationships with self and the world.

Clerissa also provides consultation and continuing education trainings to assist other mental health clinicians and members of the community better understand Borderline Personality Disorder, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and clinical hypnotherapy. She regularly provides education for community members participating in the Family Connections program for National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEA-BPD) and has presents at numerous professional conferences and continuing education trainings including the annual conference for Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). She assists with facilitation and consultation for the clinical hypnotherapy certification program at the Anxiety and Stress Management Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. Clerissa is available to provide specialized training and speaking engagements upon request.

Natoya McMurray, LCSW

DBT Skills Group Co-Leader

Natoya McMurray is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides individual, group, and solution-focused counseling for adolescents and adults. Natoya received a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University and has provided therapy in schools, residential, day treatment, intensive outpatient, traditional outpatient, and in-home settings.

With over 30 years experience as a clinician, Natoya has presented at conferences and workshops to psychotherapists and to general audiences on topics ranging from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Borderline Personality Disorder, stress management, single-parenting, adjustment to loss and grief, and HIV/STI prevention and education. Natoya has consulted at hospitals, schools, residential treatment facilities and community agencies. Natoya also taught a mental health related class at the undergraduate level and has served as a practicum and internship clinical supervisor for undergraduate and graduate level students.

Natoya’s treatment approach is to provide psychodynamic, growth-oriented treatment and practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns. Using a collaborative approach and focusing on a person's strengths, Natoya incorporates a blend of conventional and alternative approaches and techniques to provide effective and individualized support to her clients.

Lauren Ramos, MA, APC, NCC

DBT Skills Group Co-Leader

Lauren Ramos is an Associate Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor working towards licensure in the state of Georgia. She holds a BS in History from the University of Georgia and a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University in Atlanta.

Her experience includes working with clients with severe mental health issues and their families, in the residential setting of Skyland Trail, a nationally recognized mental health nonprofit treatment center. Working in this setting has affirmed the importance of a more holistic approach as an integral piece in the treatment of an individual.

Lauren utilizes a variety of theoretical backgrounds to best attend to the needs of her patients. Primarily she incorporates Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy and some mindfulness based techniques like Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She has also received training for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Lauren believes that therapy is all about the relationship the therapist and patient forge together. Life is fraught with a series of relationships; often times those relationships can create unhealthy narratives about others, ourselves, and the world at large. Therapy acts as the conduit for us to reframe those relationships - rewriting unhealthy narratives and unlocking our true potential to enjoy life. Lauren's approach to therapy is a combination of validation and empowerment. She uses various techniques to provide a safe space to explore the places clients feel stuck, and she works with clients to help them cultivate the tools necessary for future success.